Illuminated cane



G. A. SMITH Jan. 24, 1939.

ILLUMINATED CANE Filed Oct. 1, 1937 lrl rl l ri l/ M flfT UR/ W V Patented Jan. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates generally to an illuminating means, and particularly to an illuminating cane or the like.

The main object of this invention is the provision of an exceedingly simple and efiicient form of walking cane and. an electric lamp adapted to flash intermittently as the cane contacts the ground or to be illuminated continuously as de-- sired.

I accomplish this and other objects in the manner set forth in the specification following as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the device.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the ground engaging end of the cane.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section of the ground engaging end of the cane showing the parts in position to energize the lamp.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the ground engaging end of the cane showing a portion of the outer sleeve broken away in section.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 1.

Similar numerals refer to throughout the several views.

Referring in detail to the drawing, there is shown a handle ii] which projects into the enlarged end I l of a tube l2. The enlarged portion i i has formed therein the window openings I3 in which is disposed the electric lamp M which is mounted in the socket IS on the dividing wall l6. Within the tube i2 are placed a series of batteries Ill. The battery it nearest the lamp M has its terminal H8 in engagement with the contact IQ of the socket 15.

The lower end of the tube I2 is provided with the downwardly extending lugs 20. A tubular cap 2! is slidably mounted on the lower end of the tube l2. The cap El has a closed end 22 having a tubular tip 23. On the inner side of the cap 2| are formed the longitudinal ribs 24 which are diametrically opposite. In the upper end of the cap 2! are formed the bayonet slots 25 having the single left hand extension 26 and the right hand extensions 21 and 28. Projecting from the tube l2 are the bayonet pins 29.

Within the cap it is disposed a plunger 30 from whose lower end extends the ground engaging tip 3| which projects through the tubular tip 23. The plunger 36 is provided with lateral similar parts grooves 32 and the upwardly extending lugs 33. Within the plunger 30 is placed a spring 34 whose upper end is provided with an insulated bushing 35. The ground engaging tip 3| has provided at its upper end a spring urged contact 36 and the bushing 35 normally extends above the upper end of the contact 36.

In this form of the device, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the member 3! is extended and the contact 36 is not in engagement with the lowermost battery cell ll, therefore no current flows to the lamp it. If, however, the cane is pressed downwardly causing the contact 36 to engage the cell I! as shown in Fig. 4, current does flow to the lamp 14 causing it to be energized.

It will be noted that normally the bayonet pin 29 occupies the slot 28 which permits the plunger 30 to move with relation to the tube I2 whenever the tip 3| engages the ground with sufiicient force to compress the spring 34. If, however, the cap 2| is moved to a position in which the pin 29 occupies the slot 21, then the lamp i4 is continuously energized. On the other hand if the pin 29 occupies the s10 26, it brings the parts to the position shown in Fig. 5 wherein the lugs 33 are in alinement with the lugs 20 and the plunger 30 cannot move longitudinally with relation to the member I2. That is to say, the lamp [4 cannot be energized since the contact 36 cannot engage the battery cell Il.

While I have referred to this device as a cane, it must be understood that the invention is equally applicable to umbrellas, swagger sticks and other similar objects.

It is desirable to surround the lamp [4 with a transparency 50 which is preferably colored.

I claim:

A cane having in combination a tubular battery cell holder having dry cells mounted therein and having an electric lamp connected to said cells, said tube having lateral openings therein for emitting light from said lamp, a tubular cap on the lower end of said tube having a bayonet fastening thereto adapted to hold said cap in either of two longitudinal positions or either of two rotary positions, the lower end of said tube having a pair of lugs projecting therefrom, a plunger in said cap also having lugs projecting therefrom, said plunger lugs being adapted to register with the first mentioned lugs when said bayonet connection is turned in one direction and to pass same when said bayonet connection is turned in the opposite direction, a spring for urging said plunger away from said tube, a ground engaging tip attached to said plunger and projecting downwardly through said cap and a yieldable contact mounted in said plunger adapted to engage the lowermost battery when said ground engaging tip is pressed against an object.

, GLENN ALAN SMITH. 

